blunt
gb/blˈʌnt/ us/blˈʌnt/
B1
English
~ 9100
nyers, kíméletlenül őszinte, tompa, hegyetlen, életlen, eltompít, életlenné tesz, tompít, enyhít, mérsékel, blunt, füves szivar, durva, elnagyolt, nem célzott, pénz, garas, pénzmag
B2
1
nyers
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is blunt (about [something])
I’ll be blunt: we can’t afford to hire you right now.
Kíméletlenül őszinte leszek: jelenleg nem engedhetjük meg magunknak, hogy felvegyük Önt.
She’s known for her blunt comments in meetings, but people trust her honesty.
A megbeszéléseken tett nyers megjegyzéseiről ismert, de az emberek megbíznak az őszinteségében.
He was blunt about the risks, which upset some investors but helped them prepare.
To be blunt, your presentation was confusing and too long.
Her blunt style can sound rude, but she never lies about how she feels.
Learner examples
My boss is very blunt and sometimes hurts my feelings.
A főnököm nagyon nyers, és néha megbántja az érzéseimet.
To be blunt, I do not like this plan.
Hogy nyersen fogalmazzak, nem tetszik ez a terv.
He gave me a blunt answer and walked away.
She is blunt, but she is also very honest.
His blunt words made everyone in the room quiet.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'blunt' with 'brutal' or 'rude'. 'Blunt' focuses on being very direct and not softening your words; it can sound rude, but it does not always mean the person is trying to be unkind. Another confusion is using 'blunt' only for objects; remember it is very common for speech and personality.
Meaning
very direct in speech, even rude
Collocations
blunt comment
|blunt answer
|blunt reply
|blunt assessment
|blunt manner
|to be blunt
Synonyms
direct (neutral word for not hiding what you think; can be kinder than 'blunt'.)
|
frank (often suggests honest openness, not always as harsh as 'blunt'.)
|
straightforward (emphasizes clarity and simplicity more than possible rudeness.)
Antonyms
tactful (describes someone who chooses words carefully to avoid hurting others, opposite of bluntness.)
|
diplomatic (stresses being polite and careful in speech, especially in difficult situations.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|personality
Definition
saying what you really think in a very direct way, even if it sounds rude or hard to hear.
Expressing opinions or information in a very direct way, sometimes in a manner that seems rude or hurts people’s feelings.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is blunt
This knife is too blunt to cut the tomatoes.
Ez a kés túl életlen ahhoz, hogy paradicsomot lehessen vele vágni.
He tried to sharpen his blunt pencil before the exam.
A vizsga előtt megpróbálta kihegyezni a tompa ceruzáját.
We were given blunt scissors, so cutting the fabric took forever.
The surgeon refused to use any tool that felt even slightly blunt.
The victim had been struck with a blunt instrument, not a knife.
Learner examples
My kitchen knife is blunt, so I need a new one.
A konyhakésem életlen, ezért szükségem van egy újra.
These scissors are blunt and will not cut paper.
Ez az olló életlen, és nem vágja el a papírt.
The pencil is blunt; please sharpen it.
He hit the nail with a blunt hammer head.
A blunt knife is safer but does not work well.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'not sharp' instead of 'blunt'. While correct, native speakers very often say 'a blunt knife' or 'my pencil is blunt'. Also, avoid using 'blunt' to mean 'boring'; for that meaning, use 'dull', not 'blunt'.
Meaning
not sharp; having a dull edge
Collocations
blunt knife
|blunt blade
|blunt scissors
|blunt pencil
|blunt edge
|blunt instrument
Synonyms
dull (common in American English for tools that are not sharp; also means 'boring' in other contexts.)
Antonyms
sharp (describes an edge or point that cuts or pierces easily.)
|
pointed (emphasizes having a narrow tip that can pierce or poke.)
Themes
objects
|daily_life
Definition
not sharp; having a dull edge or end, so it does not cut well.
Not sharp or pointed; having a dull edge or end so that it cuts or pierces poorly or not at all.
VERB
B2
3
eltompít
B2
Usage pattern:
to blunt [something]
Cutting on a glass surface will quickly blunt your knives.
Ha üvegfelületen vágsz, az gyorsan eltompítja a késeidet.
Sand can blunt the blades of the turbine over time.
A homok idővel eltompíthatja a turbina lapátjainak élét.
He used a stone to blunt the arrowheads for safety training.
Hitting metal on metal will eventually blunt the chisel.
The constant contact with bone can blunt surgical instruments.
Learner examples
Cutting hard plastic will blunt the knife.
A kemény műanyag vágása életlenné teszi a kést.
Do not use this saw on metal; it will blunt it.
Ne használd ezt a fűrészt fém vágására; a fém eltompítja.
Hitting the ground can blunt the point of the stick.
This machine can blunt the edge of the blade.
Using the wrong board will blunt your scissors.
Common mistake:
Learners often say 'make it not sharp' or only use 'sharpen' and 'dull'. In more formal or technical English, you can say 'blunt the blade' to sound natural. Remember that the object is usually a tool or edge, not a person.
Meaning
make an edge or point less sharp
Collocations
blunt the blade
|blunt the knife
|blunt the tip
|blunt the edge
Synonyms
dull (very common verb for making a tool less sharp; slightly more common than 'blunt' in this use.)
Antonyms
sharpen (means to make something sharp or sharper, the direct opposite of 'blunt' here.)
Themes
objects
|processes
|daily_life
|work
Definition
to make something less sharp so it cannot cut or pierce well.
To make an edge or point less sharp, so that it cuts or pierces less effectively.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
to blunt [effect / impact / feeling]
Higher interest rates may blunt the impact of rising prices.
A magasabb kamatlábak tompíthatják az emelkedő árak hatását.
The painkillers helped blunt the worst of the pain.
A fájdalomcsillapítók segítettek tompítani a legerősebb fájdalmat.
The government introduced tax cuts to blunt public anger.
Her quick apology did little to blunt his criticism.
Over time, repeated exposure can blunt your emotional response.
Learner examples
The new law tries to blunt the effect of the crisis.
Az új törvény a válság hatását próbálja tompítani.
Medicine can blunt the pain but not remove it.
A gyógyszer tompíthatja a fájdalmat, de nem szünteti meg.
Laughter helped blunt their fear for a short time.
Good training can blunt the impact of a mistake.
His kind words could not blunt her sadness.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use 'blunt' with the wrong objects, like 'blunt a problem' or 'blunt a question'. It is usually used with abstract nouns like 'impact', 'effect', 'anger', 'pain', or 'criticism'. Also, do not confuse this with the adjective 'blunt' for people who speak directly.
Meaning
reduce strength or impact
Collocations
blunt the impact
|blunt the effect
|blunt criticism
|blunt enthusiasm
|blunt pain
Synonyms
dampen (commonly used for feelings like enthusiasm or excitement; slightly softer tone than 'blunt'.)
|
soften (stresses making something less harsh or strong, especially criticism or impact.)
Antonyms
intensify (means to make something stronger or more extreme, opposite of reducing its effect.)
|
heighten (often used for emotions or effects that become stronger or more noticeable.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|politics
|communication
Definition
to make the effect, feeling, or force of something weaker or less strong.
To make something less strong, less intense, or less effective, especially an effect, feeling, or criticism.
NOUN
C1
SLANG
5
blunt
C2
füves szivar
C1
Usage pattern:
smoke / roll / pass a blunt
They sat on the porch and shared a blunt.
A verandán ültek, és közösen elszívtak egy bluntot.
He bragged about being able to roll a perfect blunt.
Azzal dicsekedett, hogy tökéletes bluntot tud tekerni.
The smell of the blunt filled the whole room.
She put out the blunt when she heard the police siren.
The rapper mentioned smoking a blunt in almost every song.
Learner examples
They rolled a blunt at the party.
A bulin tekertek egy bluntot.
He does not smoke blunts anymore.
Már nem szív bluntokat.
The room smelled like a blunt.
She passed the blunt to her friend.
He was arrested for smoking a blunt in public.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'blunt' only means 'not sharp' or 'direct in speech' and not recognize this common slang meaning in music or films. Also, do not confuse 'blunt' (cigar-style cannabis) with 'joint', which is usually rolled in thin paper.
Meaning
cigar filled with cannabis
Collocations
smoke a blunt
|roll a blunt
|pass the blunt
|light a blunt
|share a blunt
Synonyms
weed cigar (informal descriptive phrase; explains the idea but is less common than 'blunt'.)
|
joint (very common word for a cannabis cigarette rolled in paper, not a cigar wrap; related but not identical.)
Themes
drugs
|youth_culture
|health
|daily_life
Definition
a cigar that someone opens and fills with cannabis (marijuana) to smoke.
A cigar whose tobacco has been partly or fully removed and replaced with cannabis, smoked for its drug effect.
C1
6
Usage pattern:
[method / tool] is a blunt instrument for [result]
Interest rates are a blunt instrument for controlling inflation.
A kamatlábak durva eszközök az infláció féken tartására.
The new policy is a blunt tool that may hurt small businesses.
Az új szabályozás durva eszköz, amely árthat a kisvállalkozásoknak.
Sanctions are a blunt instrument that often harms ordinary people.
Cutting staff numbers is a blunt way to reduce costs.
The algorithm is a blunt instrument when used without human judgment.
Learner examples
Tax changes are a blunt tool to fix deep problems.
Az adóváltoztatások durva eszközök a mélyen gyökerező problémák megoldására.
This rule is a blunt instrument and feels unfair.
Ez a szabály durva eszköz, és igazságtalannak hat.
Cutting pay is a blunt way to save money.
The law is too blunt for such a complex issue.
Social media bans are a blunt response to the problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'blunt instrument' always refers to a physical object. In news and analysis, it is often used metaphorically for methods or policies that are not precise or sensitive.
Meaning
not precise; lacking subtlety
Collocations
a blunt instrument
|blunt tool
|blunt policy
|blunt approach
|blunt measure
Synonyms
crude (suggests something is basic and not refined; often more negative than 'blunt'.)
|
coarse (emphasizes roughness and lack of refinement or detail.)
Antonyms
precise (stresses exactness and fine control, the opposite of a 'blunt' method.)
|
subtle (emphasizes delicate, detailed differences and careful effects.)
Themes
politics
|business
|science
|work
Definition
not careful or exact; describes a tool or action that works in a rough way and cannot make fine changes.
Describing a tool, method, or measure that is not precise or subtle and affects things in a rough, general way rather than carefully or exactly.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
7
He hadn’t a bit of blunt in his pocket. (archaic)
Egy garas sem volt a zsebében. (régies)
They needed some blunt before they could set off on their journey. (archaic)
Szükségük volt egy kis pénzmagra, mielőtt útnak indulhattak. (régies)
In old novels, you may see 'blunt' used to mean money. (meta-usage)
Learner examples
In some old books, 'blunt' means money.
Néhány régi könyvben a „blunt” pénzt jelent.
People today almost never say 'blunt' for money.
Ma már szinte senki sem használja a „blunt” szót pénz jelentésben.
You might read 'blunt' as money in an old story.
Meaning
old use: money
Collocations
short of blunt
|raise some blunt
Synonyms
cash (modern, common word for money in notes and coins; 'blunt' is now rarely used this way.)
Antonyms
broke (slang adjective meaning having no money, opposite situation of having 'blunt'.)
Themes
finance
Definition
an old slang word that used to mean money.
An old informal word for money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
blunt
IPA
GB/blˈʌnt/
US/blˈʌnt/
Syllables & stress
blunt (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (blunt)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: blunt
- Comparative: blunter
- Superlative: bluntest
Verb
- Base: blunt
- 3rd Person Singular: blunts
- Present Participle: blunting
- Past: blunted
Word family
Expressions
a blunt instrument
1/ə blˈʌnt ˈɪnstɹəmənt/
idiom
method or tool lacking precision
a way of doing something that is not careful or exact and may cause side effects or unfair results.
Examples
- Tax policy is a blunt instrument for reducing inequality.
- Military force is a blunt instrument and often creates new problems.
- Social media bans are a blunt instrument against misinformation.
in blunt terms
1/ˈɪn blˈʌnt tˈɚmz/
fixed phrase
describe something very directly
used when you say something in a very simple and direct way, without soft words.
Examples
- In blunt terms, the company is almost bankrupt.
- She explained the risks in blunt terms so everyone understood.
- In blunt terms, we are running out of time.
let me be blunt
1/lˈɛt mˈi bˈi blˈʌnt/
fixed phrase
warning before speaking directly
used to warn someone that you are going to speak very directly and honestly.
Examples
- Let me be blunt: your plan is too risky.
- Let me be blunt, we can’t pay you more right now.
- Let me be blunt, the team does not trust this manager.
smoke a blunt
1/smˈoʊk ə blˈʌnt/
fixed phrase
slang
smoke a cannabis cigar
to smoke a cigar that has been filled with cannabis (marijuana).
Examples
- They went outside to smoke a blunt behind the club.
- He bragged that he could smoke a blunt by himself.
- She said she only smokes a blunt on weekends.
to be blunt
1/tə bˈi blˈʌnt/
fixed phrase
introduce a very direct remark
used before you say something very direct that might sound rude or hard to hear.
Examples
- To be blunt, I don’t think this project will succeed.
- To be blunt, your report is not good enough.
- To be blunt, we need to cut costs or we will close.
blunt force trauma
1/blˈʌnt fˈɔɹs tɹˈɔmə/
fixed phrase
technical
injury from a non-sharp impact
a medical or police term for injury caused when a heavy, not sharp object hits the body.
Examples
- The victim died from blunt force trauma to the head.
- The autopsy revealed that he died from blunt force trauma to the chest.
- The report stated that blunt force trauma was the cause of death.
- Blunt force trauma is common in car crashes and falls.
- She suffered blunt force trauma after falling from the ladder.